Xi reiterates commitment to upholding multilateralism during meeting with envoys

President Xi Jinping reiterated on Wednesday China's commitment to firmly uphold multilateralism and safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law.

Xi spoke as he received credentials presented by 29 new ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Siddharth Chatterjee, the new UN resident coordinator in China, also presented his letter of appointment to Xi.

Xi welcomed the ambassadors and asked them to convey his good wishes to the leaders of their countries.

He said that the Chinese people have stood firmly together with people of different nations to jointly fight the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year, marking a new chapter in international friendship and cooperation.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the start of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), as well as the nation's new journey to build a modern socialist nation, Xi said. China will firmly follow a new development philosophy, proactively foster a new development paradigm and enable its growth to better benefit people of different nations, he said.

With this year marking the 50th anniversary of the restoration of China's lawful seat in the UN and the 20th anniversary of China joining the World Trade Organization, Xi said the nation will remain steadfast in upholding the multilateral trading system, move forward with the development of a global governance system and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The president expressed confidence that China, with support and participation from different sides, can overcome impacts from the pandemic and host the Winter Olympics in a simple, safe and wonderful manner next year.

The Chinese people have long treasured friendship and loved peace, and the country stands ready to deepen friendship, enhance mutual trust and expand cooperation on the basis of equality and win-win outcomes with people of different countries and work toward the high-quality building of the Belt and Road, he said.